Answering emails: Alphonso Smith could be a big key in Detroit Lions' secondary

ALLEN PARK - If you have a Detroit Lions related question, email me here. I'll answer the best and most intriguing questions.

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Vic: So what happened with Alphonso Smith last year? He looked so promising in his first few games with the Lions, then it all seemed to unravel. Was his confidence just shot, or was there something else going on there?

Tom Kowalski: His confidence got too high - and he gambled with Tom Brady and lost - and then his confidence was shaken. He's young and he needs to learn one of the hardest lessons for a cornerback: knowing when to take that fateful step forward and jump a route or when to stay back and play it safe.

On the plus side, he's got decent speed, he's an eager student and he has that knack for playing deep balls. He's not afraid to turn his head and try to locate a ball without giving up a step or two a receiver. That's one tough trick that he's already learned. Besides, how can you deny the "Carlton"?

Regardless of how many cornerbacks the Lions acquire in the draft or free agency, you can never have enough and I think Smith is going to make his presence felt.

Andy: With GM Martin Mayhew going into his third year would he really want to draft a developmental player such as Tyron Smith with the 13th pick? Wouldn't he want an immediate impact player that could start right away such as Prince Amukamara if he's available?

Tom Kowalski: What we don't know is how soon a tackle like Smith might be playing. What I find funny is the amount of people who think the Lions should draft Mike Pouncey despite the fact they've already got two starting guards. "It would be a big upgrade'' they say. OK, then why doesn't that apply to the tackle position as well?

Terry: I was just wondering if you thought Detroit would draft a QB in the later rounds that they could groom over the next couple years if Stafford can't stay healthy over the next couple of seasons?

Tom Kowalski: I don't see the Lions drafting a quarterback this year because I think they're pretty happy with the three that they've got. They might bring in an undrafted guy to push Drew Stanton, but that's not going to be much of a challenge. Stanton knows the offense, he's strong in the locker room and he's won some NFL games. I just don't see a young prospect competing with that.

William: How do the coaches feel about the "successful" appeal of the tampering penalty?

Tom Kowalski: I'm not sure if the Lions appealed the penalty itself or the terms of the punishment. Either way, they didn't "win'' anything. I understand moving the pick back to next year could be a break because there might be a shortened free agency period this year, but think about this: There might be a shortened camp, too, and a seventh rounder this year might have a much harder time making the team than a seventh-rounder next year. Like I said, either way, the Lions didn't "win'' anything.

Mike: I see the top 12 picks in some order being Dareus, Miller, Peterson, Green, Gabbert, Quinn, Amukamara, Bowers, Jones, Tyron Smith, Fairley and Newton.

Which means the best player on the board at No. 13 most likely will be a defensive lineman (Watt, Aldon Smith, Liuget, Jordan) not offensive tackle (Castonzo or Solder). You seem to think the Lions will reach for the tackle. Doesn't seem to follow taking the BPA.

Tom Kowalski: First of all, I never said the Lions wouldn't take a defensive end at that spot - or even a cornerback. All I said is that the Lions have a need for an offensive tackle. And I'm not sure a lot of folks agree that those defenders are rated higher than Castanzo.

Tadd: Do the Lions surprise everyone and take Kyle Rudolph at 13?

Tom Kowalski: Mayhew is usually full of surprises but I don't think he's capable of a shocker like that.

Aaron: "There's no explaining the iron-like grip the Lions seem to have on their fans. One of the unexplainable mysteries of life."